Now that I think of it, this may well have been the start of my asthma. At the time it was just a childhood malady that I was cursed with. I don't remember how "young" I was when one night I had a very serious attack and I found myself laying in bed asking God to not let me cough anymore - it hurt so badly. Now that I reflect on that night, I realize I must have only been about 3 or 4 years old. It has always amazed me that at that age I knew to ask God to help me. My family did not go to Church and I don't recall ever hearing any talk about religion of faith of any kind in our home. I remember that the folks saw that we made Sunday School because we were always dressed to the 9's for Holiday services. I recall that I had learned a speaking part for one Easter. Which was when I was 5, just before we moved to California.
With all of this, I do not recall ever being active in a religious enviornment that young, but I do have faint recollections of attending "Daily Vacation Bible School". Whether it was back in our old hometown of Greensberg, Pennsylvania or after we moved to California is not clear in my memory. All I know is when I was hurting, I was mindful to call upon God for help. Not only asking for that help, but really believing that He would help. The faith of a child. How sweet.
Written this 9th day of January 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
My Journey
Now, I know some of this will be repeats, but to make the whole complete I don't see any other way to do this. So here we go! Some of you may not know that I gather "thoughts". When I find one that strikes my fancy, I write it down. Yesterday while doing some sorting of "ancient junk" I found a great one. I believe it is from a talk of Jeffrey R. Holland, at least it was part of a talk I
had made notes on. It fits the idea I am going with: "No part of our mortal body gets better with age". All of us over 50 can attest to that! Something else from that page is: "Senior Couples lengthen your shuffle". Well I am well over 50 and try as I might, my lengthening is getting a bit shorter as the days pass by. No complaints, I think I have had plenty of lengthening over the past 80 years to make up for any shortness in my stride today.
John McKay left this tid bit: "I'm a big believer in the 'Mirror Test' - All that matters is if you can look in the mirror and honestly tell the person staring back at you that you've done your best." What more can we ask of ourselves? Oh, I will admit there are some days that have been much better than others, but then we can all do that! I believe it is the overall job we do that is the measure of our success. No one thing will stand out as a make or break item.
Looking back I recall being told I almost wasn't an "it". My Mother was in ill health and though she an Dad wanted another child, it really wasn't the best idea at the time. Of course nature does figure into such things, and the start of a new life began. Some time after the 2nd month of this pregnancy Mother began having problems and by the 3rd month it was pretty certain that the preganacy would not go full term. Dr. McComma was called. He checked Mother over and suggested the best thing would be to assist the miscarriage with some medication. Mother was bed bound, so following the orders presented no problems, even with two growing boys in the house. All the tablets left were taken as prescribed and Mothers health improved.
When the 6 month time came around and Dr. McComma hadn't heard back, he stopped by to see for himself how things were going. There was Mother 6 Months pregnant. He was amazed.
I am not sure just how amazed, I believe he knew that anything that would kill one of his other patients would most certainly cure Mother. She had that kind of physical make up. At the end of the 9 months Grandma Hall had come to assist the family after the baby came and of course assist the Dr. with delivery as she was a Midwife. Fortunate for the family because during a night of heavy blizzard, Dad had to go for the Dr. No phones back in those days in most of the homes. In fact, I don't even know if the Dr. had one. The snow was blowing and stacking up in drifts 4 to 6 feet high before they showed up. By then Grandma Hall had delivered the baby and was taking care of Mother. Ta Da! I was born. A 7 pound 7 ounce little "sqwah". Jet black hair with brown eyes so dark you couldn't tell the pupil from the iris. Skin coloring, well it wasn't light. I had olive colored skin until I lost the pigmentation about 4 years ago. Man could I take a tan! Of course that was the reason I lost the pigmentation - too much sun. Readers beware! Oh, and a few skin cancers thrown in as well.
That round faced little girl didn't look much like the rest of the Smith clan, but she was surely welcome. Well all but Ron who wanted to send me back. I think he changed his mind some where along the line. He and I are the only ones left at this writting. Ralph was born in 1921 and Ron in 1924. So I was really the "little sister". My earliest recollections are of wanting to "tag along" I don't remember Ralph making a fuss, but I was sure a thorn in Ron's side. Ralph looked like Dad's side of the family and Ron never has been able to pin his looks down to anyone, really!
I held out for a long time, but it is obvious now that I look exactly like Mother. When we found a picture of Dad's birth mother it was decided that Ron looked like Eliza Bunn. Guess that means we kind of "spread the wealth" around when it comes to ancestors.
I never was the smartest kid on the block. I didn't have a great GPA. Never really "hankered" to attend College either. I believe now I had a learning disorder. Those things were never even thought of back when I was growing up, but things that seem to be caught early on in children these days. Not that it might have made that much difference. Maybe I would not have learned some of the things I did if I hadn't have had to struggle. Life deals us the trials we seem to need to get ahead of ourselves. If we tackle them right that is. I am greatful I had teachers who worked with me and helped me love reading. To the bookkeeping teacher who made handwritting important to me and example that Willetta made in my life. We don't pass this way without the influence of a great many people who touch our lives as we make your way through it.
You know even the hard knocks have caused enough changes to round out the total. I might have been a great deal different without each and everyone. I am greatful for the past few years that have given me new opportunities to investigte who I am and how the path I have traveled has been the making of who I am today. Discovering the Gospel for instance. You know I went to school with LDS kids, who never once thought to ask me to go to Church with them. Other friends from other Churches did. Once in High School Evelyn Botts came to me and said: "you know, I have just found something I think would interest you." She went on to join the Church, but never went beyond that first statement. When I met Jay, I had no idea he was LDS. He did not go to Church, nor did he ever ask me to go with him. Somehow the Lord seemed to guide me
ever so slowly and carefully. Giving me the time I needed to discover for myself. It was Jay's Aunt Jo who insisted we get married in the Church. Even then I had no idea what that ment. I just knew I wasn't attached to any Church and thought a Church wedding would be better than going to a Justice of the Peace of Judge to do the ceremony. (Thank you Aunt Jo).
Even after we were married, going to Church was not something we did. Jay had no interest, and I didn't have a clue as to where to go. When the time was right, and I was "ready", the Full Time Missionaries knocked on the door when I wasn't home. Jay took their invitation to talk to me, I have no idea why, with the way he felt. What ever, I met with the Missionaries as they had scheduled, and as the saying goes: "the rest is history". I have long wondered if Jay had been active would I have been as steady? Would I have found a way to go, on my own like I had to and put the Church together in my life the way I did? The path was far from smooth. When the Lord says he gives us precept upon precept, I understand how that works. First I learned about the Church. Then I learned how to serve. Then I learned how to gain a testimony. Next I tried myself to prove I needed to have a Temple Marriage. Each step took time, and each one moved me closer and closer to the goal the Lord has for each of us. As a convert, I took one step at a time until I trusted the path ahead of me, and took the leap of faith to the next step. No real support system, just my own questions and desires to have the answers. I never heard General Conference. In fact I am not sure I really knew they had such a thing for years. Once I attended one, I was fascinated to learn and study more.
Starting with the Sunbeams was a miracle. Those little kids were so cute, and fun. I wasn't challenged by them, I could plan the lesson with the activities and just enjoy the experience. When I had been grounded, I was given a challenge that surely changed my entire life. The Blazers. Those boys were a handful. I had the sturdy personality that would take their guff and we became friends and had a grand time learning together. I remember teaching a Mutual Class in Sunday School when they laughed at the way I pronounced the names from the Book of Mormon. I knew the material, I just wasn't very good with the names. I learned. Great way to put one foot in front of the other.
I helped put together Road Shows and Girls Camps. I struggled with so many things that come easy after 50 years, but each new thing took time and patience on my part. Why is it we think things should be easy. Well, they are really, it just takes us time to learn enough to find the way.
I remember one CES meeting before I moved up here to San Luis Obispo. Elder Packer told us we needed to "follow the brethern". Then in my sorting yesterday I ran across this thought from Russell M. Ballard "are we listening to the prophets? Are we hearing? If you follow the prophets you will not go astray." What great advise. How greatful I am today to know the prophets and to be willing to follow their council. Another great thought from Neal A Maxwell:
"Let us not resent the Lord's tutoring experiences. These are the dues for full discipleship".
So the bumps and bruises for spiritual learning are what we pay for our "full membeship" in the Kingdom of our Father. Another one from Carol Thomas: "Sacrifice, without it no true worship is given." We might well ask what sacrifice? Our time, our talents our willingness to do what is required. I am not sure just how many hours I spent in preparing for any given lesson I have taught. I do remember however of spending 40 hours one month preparing for a 40 minute lesson on the teachings of Jesus Christ in Relief Society. I don't know how much the Sisters learned that day, but I will never forget the things I learned, nor the additional strength to my testimony that was added by that experience.
There are not a few who have set at my feet in Seminary and Institute Classes and spent valuable time from their lives listening to me teach. It is never far from my mind what effect any of that has had on even one. I have been blessed to hear from some who report they have been blessed by something they learned from me. Those witnesses have humbled me greatly. To know I have done something to help another is most gratifying. What is even more humbling is to know that a number of those students who have spent time with me have gone on to become Seminary and Institute Teachers as well. Like the rock that is tossed into water makes rings across the surface, our touching the lives of others leaves waves. I once read a teacher will never know the extent of their teaching until the eternities. The thought I may have been an influence for furthering the work here on earth is almost hard to fathom.
The thought of family influence of course enters into this equation as well. Children and Grand Children and now Great Grand Children. The further we get away from the center the more I wonder can we really influence those more distant to us? Hopefully we do in all the right ways. First that they know how much they are loved. How interested I am in all they do. How hopeful I am for the success in life and in their happiness. Doing Genealogy has made me aware of how great the connection is between us and those who have passed this way before us. As LDS we are interested in the Pioneers and take great pride in being descended from those who were willing to pay such a price for what we have both in this country and in the Church. Their testimonies may not be as crisp in our minds, but they are certainly clear as to their content. No one could have endured or accomplished so much who were not sure in their Faith and diligent in the dedication to the things they have lived for in such trying times. An unknown writter has left us this: "Prayer - don't give God instructions, just report for duty." The pioneers did that.
Another writes: "the task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us". I believe the Gospel has been "the wind beneath MY wings." I have been years finding my way without the support of a mate in the Gospel. I was hopeful in helping my mate find strength to fill a Mission and accept a call to become an Ordinance Worker in the Temple. I have been comforted as my mate slipped away leaving me to "carry on" alone. Sad? No! I am greatful for every opportunity that has been mine to become "all that I can be" and hopefully extend that same ability to the one person that made my life so wonderful. I can testify that the last speach that Patrick spoke in the Movie Ghost is true: "Molly - the love continues". I know this is true. We
may change places, but the Love Goes On. I've never seen the Savior, but I know HE loves me, and HE lives. I haven't been to Heaven, but I know it is there. I've worked and never missed a payday. My needs have and are met. That is not to say I have everything I want, but I have had everything that I need. In fact most of the time I have had more than I really needed, like clothes, etc. I can only wear one thing at a time, and eat one thing at a time. My needs are simple. It is my desires that are not always in proper focus.
None of us know the amount of hours, days, weeks, months or even years alotted to us. This does not matter because we can only live one day at a time anyway. It is not how we die, but how we have lived that will make the difference. Someone has wisely said: "the Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you." Another has said: "Don't put a question mark where God put a period." Simply put: "Thy will be done". Or this: "if God is Your Co-Pilot swap seats."
I guess we are all pretty much alike. We wake up everyday not expecting much, handling what comes our way, and ending the day with a greatful heart we were able to "endure to the end". Every day is a challenge, dressed in a different dress. Some are more attractive than others, but each has come with it's own chance to achieve and succeed. It is said: "people are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road and the back of the Church." While: "some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set." We should remain plyable and fresh. We never know when the Lord will need a willing and caring soul to carry on the work needed to be done today. Besides: "drive carefully - it is not only cars that are recalled by their maker". Or: "even if you are on the right track, you will get runover if you just set there". I guess a great conclusion to this journey would be: "a truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a DETOUR".
Well life could and may at times be bypassed on a detour. It will be our attitude as we approach it that will make the difference of how we are at the end of it. Some, may take us a piece out of our way, but hold opportunities we could not have thought of. Some will make us realize how lucky we were saved from some danger, while others may set us on to the correct track that might have been missed altogether. It isn't where we are headed that will make the big difference, rather it is where we end that will tell the tale. Believe: "faith doesn't get you around trouble. It gets you through it!" May YOUR lifes journey, as mine has me, take you where your heart will be full of love and your future full of hope fulfilled. I know that my Redeemer Lives. I know that He is watching over me in my twilight hours and will continue to guide me as I follow the path He has laid out before me. To these things I bear my witness in the worthy name of Jesus Christ - Amen
Written this 5th day of January 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
had made notes on. It fits the idea I am going with: "No part of our mortal body gets better with age". All of us over 50 can attest to that! Something else from that page is: "Senior Couples lengthen your shuffle". Well I am well over 50 and try as I might, my lengthening is getting a bit shorter as the days pass by. No complaints, I think I have had plenty of lengthening over the past 80 years to make up for any shortness in my stride today.
John McKay left this tid bit: "I'm a big believer in the 'Mirror Test' - All that matters is if you can look in the mirror and honestly tell the person staring back at you that you've done your best." What more can we ask of ourselves? Oh, I will admit there are some days that have been much better than others, but then we can all do that! I believe it is the overall job we do that is the measure of our success. No one thing will stand out as a make or break item.
Looking back I recall being told I almost wasn't an "it". My Mother was in ill health and though she an Dad wanted another child, it really wasn't the best idea at the time. Of course nature does figure into such things, and the start of a new life began. Some time after the 2nd month of this pregnancy Mother began having problems and by the 3rd month it was pretty certain that the preganacy would not go full term. Dr. McComma was called. He checked Mother over and suggested the best thing would be to assist the miscarriage with some medication. Mother was bed bound, so following the orders presented no problems, even with two growing boys in the house. All the tablets left were taken as prescribed and Mothers health improved.
When the 6 month time came around and Dr. McComma hadn't heard back, he stopped by to see for himself how things were going. There was Mother 6 Months pregnant. He was amazed.
I am not sure just how amazed, I believe he knew that anything that would kill one of his other patients would most certainly cure Mother. She had that kind of physical make up. At the end of the 9 months Grandma Hall had come to assist the family after the baby came and of course assist the Dr. with delivery as she was a Midwife. Fortunate for the family because during a night of heavy blizzard, Dad had to go for the Dr. No phones back in those days in most of the homes. In fact, I don't even know if the Dr. had one. The snow was blowing and stacking up in drifts 4 to 6 feet high before they showed up. By then Grandma Hall had delivered the baby and was taking care of Mother. Ta Da! I was born. A 7 pound 7 ounce little "sqwah". Jet black hair with brown eyes so dark you couldn't tell the pupil from the iris. Skin coloring, well it wasn't light. I had olive colored skin until I lost the pigmentation about 4 years ago. Man could I take a tan! Of course that was the reason I lost the pigmentation - too much sun. Readers beware! Oh, and a few skin cancers thrown in as well.
That round faced little girl didn't look much like the rest of the Smith clan, but she was surely welcome. Well all but Ron who wanted to send me back. I think he changed his mind some where along the line. He and I are the only ones left at this writting. Ralph was born in 1921 and Ron in 1924. So I was really the "little sister". My earliest recollections are of wanting to "tag along" I don't remember Ralph making a fuss, but I was sure a thorn in Ron's side. Ralph looked like Dad's side of the family and Ron never has been able to pin his looks down to anyone, really!
I held out for a long time, but it is obvious now that I look exactly like Mother. When we found a picture of Dad's birth mother it was decided that Ron looked like Eliza Bunn. Guess that means we kind of "spread the wealth" around when it comes to ancestors.
I never was the smartest kid on the block. I didn't have a great GPA. Never really "hankered" to attend College either. I believe now I had a learning disorder. Those things were never even thought of back when I was growing up, but things that seem to be caught early on in children these days. Not that it might have made that much difference. Maybe I would not have learned some of the things I did if I hadn't have had to struggle. Life deals us the trials we seem to need to get ahead of ourselves. If we tackle them right that is. I am greatful I had teachers who worked with me and helped me love reading. To the bookkeeping teacher who made handwritting important to me and example that Willetta made in my life. We don't pass this way without the influence of a great many people who touch our lives as we make your way through it.
You know even the hard knocks have caused enough changes to round out the total. I might have been a great deal different without each and everyone. I am greatful for the past few years that have given me new opportunities to investigte who I am and how the path I have traveled has been the making of who I am today. Discovering the Gospel for instance. You know I went to school with LDS kids, who never once thought to ask me to go to Church with them. Other friends from other Churches did. Once in High School Evelyn Botts came to me and said: "you know, I have just found something I think would interest you." She went on to join the Church, but never went beyond that first statement. When I met Jay, I had no idea he was LDS. He did not go to Church, nor did he ever ask me to go with him. Somehow the Lord seemed to guide me
ever so slowly and carefully. Giving me the time I needed to discover for myself. It was Jay's Aunt Jo who insisted we get married in the Church. Even then I had no idea what that ment. I just knew I wasn't attached to any Church and thought a Church wedding would be better than going to a Justice of the Peace of Judge to do the ceremony. (Thank you Aunt Jo).
Even after we were married, going to Church was not something we did. Jay had no interest, and I didn't have a clue as to where to go. When the time was right, and I was "ready", the Full Time Missionaries knocked on the door when I wasn't home. Jay took their invitation to talk to me, I have no idea why, with the way he felt. What ever, I met with the Missionaries as they had scheduled, and as the saying goes: "the rest is history". I have long wondered if Jay had been active would I have been as steady? Would I have found a way to go, on my own like I had to and put the Church together in my life the way I did? The path was far from smooth. When the Lord says he gives us precept upon precept, I understand how that works. First I learned about the Church. Then I learned how to serve. Then I learned how to gain a testimony. Next I tried myself to prove I needed to have a Temple Marriage. Each step took time, and each one moved me closer and closer to the goal the Lord has for each of us. As a convert, I took one step at a time until I trusted the path ahead of me, and took the leap of faith to the next step. No real support system, just my own questions and desires to have the answers. I never heard General Conference. In fact I am not sure I really knew they had such a thing for years. Once I attended one, I was fascinated to learn and study more.
Starting with the Sunbeams was a miracle. Those little kids were so cute, and fun. I wasn't challenged by them, I could plan the lesson with the activities and just enjoy the experience. When I had been grounded, I was given a challenge that surely changed my entire life. The Blazers. Those boys were a handful. I had the sturdy personality that would take their guff and we became friends and had a grand time learning together. I remember teaching a Mutual Class in Sunday School when they laughed at the way I pronounced the names from the Book of Mormon. I knew the material, I just wasn't very good with the names. I learned. Great way to put one foot in front of the other.
I helped put together Road Shows and Girls Camps. I struggled with so many things that come easy after 50 years, but each new thing took time and patience on my part. Why is it we think things should be easy. Well, they are really, it just takes us time to learn enough to find the way.
I remember one CES meeting before I moved up here to San Luis Obispo. Elder Packer told us we needed to "follow the brethern". Then in my sorting yesterday I ran across this thought from Russell M. Ballard "are we listening to the prophets? Are we hearing? If you follow the prophets you will not go astray." What great advise. How greatful I am today to know the prophets and to be willing to follow their council. Another great thought from Neal A Maxwell:
"Let us not resent the Lord's tutoring experiences. These are the dues for full discipleship".
So the bumps and bruises for spiritual learning are what we pay for our "full membeship" in the Kingdom of our Father. Another one from Carol Thomas: "Sacrifice, without it no true worship is given." We might well ask what sacrifice? Our time, our talents our willingness to do what is required. I am not sure just how many hours I spent in preparing for any given lesson I have taught. I do remember however of spending 40 hours one month preparing for a 40 minute lesson on the teachings of Jesus Christ in Relief Society. I don't know how much the Sisters learned that day, but I will never forget the things I learned, nor the additional strength to my testimony that was added by that experience.
There are not a few who have set at my feet in Seminary and Institute Classes and spent valuable time from their lives listening to me teach. It is never far from my mind what effect any of that has had on even one. I have been blessed to hear from some who report they have been blessed by something they learned from me. Those witnesses have humbled me greatly. To know I have done something to help another is most gratifying. What is even more humbling is to know that a number of those students who have spent time with me have gone on to become Seminary and Institute Teachers as well. Like the rock that is tossed into water makes rings across the surface, our touching the lives of others leaves waves. I once read a teacher will never know the extent of their teaching until the eternities. The thought I may have been an influence for furthering the work here on earth is almost hard to fathom.
The thought of family influence of course enters into this equation as well. Children and Grand Children and now Great Grand Children. The further we get away from the center the more I wonder can we really influence those more distant to us? Hopefully we do in all the right ways. First that they know how much they are loved. How interested I am in all they do. How hopeful I am for the success in life and in their happiness. Doing Genealogy has made me aware of how great the connection is between us and those who have passed this way before us. As LDS we are interested in the Pioneers and take great pride in being descended from those who were willing to pay such a price for what we have both in this country and in the Church. Their testimonies may not be as crisp in our minds, but they are certainly clear as to their content. No one could have endured or accomplished so much who were not sure in their Faith and diligent in the dedication to the things they have lived for in such trying times. An unknown writter has left us this: "Prayer - don't give God instructions, just report for duty." The pioneers did that.
Another writes: "the task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us". I believe the Gospel has been "the wind beneath MY wings." I have been years finding my way without the support of a mate in the Gospel. I was hopeful in helping my mate find strength to fill a Mission and accept a call to become an Ordinance Worker in the Temple. I have been comforted as my mate slipped away leaving me to "carry on" alone. Sad? No! I am greatful for every opportunity that has been mine to become "all that I can be" and hopefully extend that same ability to the one person that made my life so wonderful. I can testify that the last speach that Patrick spoke in the Movie Ghost is true: "Molly - the love continues". I know this is true. We
may change places, but the Love Goes On. I've never seen the Savior, but I know HE loves me, and HE lives. I haven't been to Heaven, but I know it is there. I've worked and never missed a payday. My needs have and are met. That is not to say I have everything I want, but I have had everything that I need. In fact most of the time I have had more than I really needed, like clothes, etc. I can only wear one thing at a time, and eat one thing at a time. My needs are simple. It is my desires that are not always in proper focus.
None of us know the amount of hours, days, weeks, months or even years alotted to us. This does not matter because we can only live one day at a time anyway. It is not how we die, but how we have lived that will make the difference. Someone has wisely said: "the Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you." Another has said: "Don't put a question mark where God put a period." Simply put: "Thy will be done". Or this: "if God is Your Co-Pilot swap seats."
I guess we are all pretty much alike. We wake up everyday not expecting much, handling what comes our way, and ending the day with a greatful heart we were able to "endure to the end". Every day is a challenge, dressed in a different dress. Some are more attractive than others, but each has come with it's own chance to achieve and succeed. It is said: "people are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road and the back of the Church." While: "some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set." We should remain plyable and fresh. We never know when the Lord will need a willing and caring soul to carry on the work needed to be done today. Besides: "drive carefully - it is not only cars that are recalled by their maker". Or: "even if you are on the right track, you will get runover if you just set there". I guess a great conclusion to this journey would be: "a truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a DETOUR".
Well life could and may at times be bypassed on a detour. It will be our attitude as we approach it that will make the difference of how we are at the end of it. Some, may take us a piece out of our way, but hold opportunities we could not have thought of. Some will make us realize how lucky we were saved from some danger, while others may set us on to the correct track that might have been missed altogether. It isn't where we are headed that will make the big difference, rather it is where we end that will tell the tale. Believe: "faith doesn't get you around trouble. It gets you through it!" May YOUR lifes journey, as mine has me, take you where your heart will be full of love and your future full of hope fulfilled. I know that my Redeemer Lives. I know that He is watching over me in my twilight hours and will continue to guide me as I follow the path He has laid out before me. To these things I bear my witness in the worthy name of Jesus Christ - Amen
Written this 5th day of January 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Friday, January 1, 2010
Something You Might Find Interesting?
When my Dad, John Smith, was a young man, he needed some Dental Work done. Going to a Dentist in those days was much different than it is today. First off, they didn't have all the high tech equipment you are use to seeing. No, it was pretty crude by todays comparison. I believe it was his "eye teeth" that needed work. Today, it might be pretty simple, but back then, it was
the long way around. Dad use to tell us his two gold capped front teeth were rather unusual for
the time in which they were done. The Dentist used a $20.00 Gold Piece to make the Crowns.
Dad said the Dentist had to hammer the piece down until it could be formed into those two Crowns or Caps. Guess he must have been pretty good, Dad wore those Crowns until he had his teeth pulled when he was in his 50's.
Going to a Dentist as a youth was pretty unusual. Now we are taught to see a Dentist at least once a year. For good Dental Health twice a year is better. When I was a kid, I don't remember ever going to the Dentist. It just wasn't that common back then. One of the requirements for me to Graduate from High School was my teeth had to be in tip/top condition. In my Senior Year I had an appointment with Dr. Chapwell who had an office across the street from the Post Office in Huntington Park. They took x-rays and found as I recall 17 cavaties. Some small but a couple were pretty big. Appointments were made, and I would go after school to have the work done. I never had any reason to fear going to the Dentist before, so I went without any cares. That soon changed when they started drilling without any pain medication. It was an awful experience and one I have not totally recovered from. Oh, I got it all done, but wasn't the least bit interested in going back.
Marrying Jay is probably the only reason I still have teeth in my head today. He was always set we kept our teeth in good repair. I hadn't lost any of my wisdom teeth either, so that was another little side trip yet to be "enjoyed". At least they put you to sleep by then. Dentistry had made giant strides. No longer did the Dentist do such things, I was referred to an "Oral Surgeon". By then I was in my mid 20's, married and a mother of one. I can't say I enjoyed it, but it sure beat, all to heck, what I had experienced before with Dr. Chatwell.
It seemed as if each visit, I found a great many changes for the better. Now they at least offered to give something for pain. Now it is a given. If they drill, they give their patient something to make the work more bearable.
I don't concider myself a "whimp", but for the amount of cavities I had, and the crude drilling system back then, it wasn't only the drilling, but the heat the drill generated that was part of the discomfort. The Dr. was most sympathetic, and did try in every way to work through it with me, but I learned to hate going to the Dentist, and have a hard time today with havning any drilling done. Thank heavens I have learned self hypnosis which helps me relax and get through those sessions with some comfort.
Now I am one of the lucky ones who has to see the hygenist to have my teeth cleaned 4 times a year. The Dentist reads x-rays once and year to see if all the Crown Work I have in place is still solid and not requireing more work. Only my front teeth have escaped some kind of covering. Do I have any gold in my mouth? Yes, but the Dentist didn't have anything to do with it. Now they have Dental Labratories that take the Dentist's impressions and makes the finished products. I guess that is an added reason we have bigger Dental bills than were noticed in the past. A number more people are getting "into the act". I am not complaining, the work has been excellent, and the pain brought mercifully to a very minimum. Oh, I still hate going to the Dentist, but not with as much trepidation as in the past. Actually I worry more about the cost than anything else.
Dentistry from the horse and buggy stage up to todays marvelous workmanship. I am sorry to say neither my Dad nor my older brother had much luck with their dentures. Ron and Willetta had "imediate restoration", which they say is the only way to do it. If my luck continues, I won't have to find out.
Jay had such beautiful teeth. Good genes I guess. That and the fact he was faithful in brushing, and seeing the Dentist. I don't think that came from his family. Both his parents had dentures. I think he was blessed with good teeth and joining the Navy at such a young age, he was treated and found the benefit from early detection. What ever the case, I have to give him credit for keeping after me until I learned to follow the correct procedure to still have my teeth.
What is the moral? I am not sure there is one. I am just greatful that Medicine has advanced to the stage it has, and all the modern machines and treatments that keep us healthy longer are now available. Which means I am just as greatful that Dentistry has made the advancements it has. No more mercury fillings. Modern equipment that makes going to the Dentist more comforable. Now, that is not to say I want to watch TV while I am worked on, but it is nice to have the lay back chairs and computer held records that help keep up to date with all that is being done, or done in my mouth. I am not sure I get that much out of wearing dark glasses while they "play" in my mouth, but appreciate they cover their mouth and nose while they work on me, with my trap wide open. I don't need anymore germs than I carry around on my own.
Having those "eyepopping" magnifiers on their glasses I am sure make for more comfort for me. At least they see where they are going.
Yes, I would have to say that things have advanced a great deal since my Dad had to submit to having money taken from his pocket to help cover tooth damage. I am not sure how much more the Dentist asked for the work, but I am sure he was paid well. Guess we are back to the old addage; "you get what you pay for". I for one am greatful what I pay for is visible when I walk into the Dentist Office. I no longer fear that "straight chair" with only a head rest that moved to put me into position for the torture I went through. Now I can relax, grab onto the armrest and
prepare for the torture. (Well really not torture.) Better wording might be "discomfort". I hate having my mouth sleep so I feel like half my face is gone. Or dribble water down the front of my blouse when I try to take a drink before I have regained my former feeling.
You know, you've been there, and done that too. How about the nose? Well, that is another whole section, and we won't go there for now.
Just remember: "see your Dentist twice a year and have your teeth cleaned regularly" It is really money in the bank. I'm not sure just whose bank, but you get the idea!
Written this 1st day of January 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
the long way around. Dad use to tell us his two gold capped front teeth were rather unusual for
the time in which they were done. The Dentist used a $20.00 Gold Piece to make the Crowns.
Dad said the Dentist had to hammer the piece down until it could be formed into those two Crowns or Caps. Guess he must have been pretty good, Dad wore those Crowns until he had his teeth pulled when he was in his 50's.
Going to a Dentist as a youth was pretty unusual. Now we are taught to see a Dentist at least once a year. For good Dental Health twice a year is better. When I was a kid, I don't remember ever going to the Dentist. It just wasn't that common back then. One of the requirements for me to Graduate from High School was my teeth had to be in tip/top condition. In my Senior Year I had an appointment with Dr. Chapwell who had an office across the street from the Post Office in Huntington Park. They took x-rays and found as I recall 17 cavaties. Some small but a couple were pretty big. Appointments were made, and I would go after school to have the work done. I never had any reason to fear going to the Dentist before, so I went without any cares. That soon changed when they started drilling without any pain medication. It was an awful experience and one I have not totally recovered from. Oh, I got it all done, but wasn't the least bit interested in going back.
Marrying Jay is probably the only reason I still have teeth in my head today. He was always set we kept our teeth in good repair. I hadn't lost any of my wisdom teeth either, so that was another little side trip yet to be "enjoyed". At least they put you to sleep by then. Dentistry had made giant strides. No longer did the Dentist do such things, I was referred to an "Oral Surgeon". By then I was in my mid 20's, married and a mother of one. I can't say I enjoyed it, but it sure beat, all to heck, what I had experienced before with Dr. Chatwell.
It seemed as if each visit, I found a great many changes for the better. Now they at least offered to give something for pain. Now it is a given. If they drill, they give their patient something to make the work more bearable.
I don't concider myself a "whimp", but for the amount of cavities I had, and the crude drilling system back then, it wasn't only the drilling, but the heat the drill generated that was part of the discomfort. The Dr. was most sympathetic, and did try in every way to work through it with me, but I learned to hate going to the Dentist, and have a hard time today with havning any drilling done. Thank heavens I have learned self hypnosis which helps me relax and get through those sessions with some comfort.
Now I am one of the lucky ones who has to see the hygenist to have my teeth cleaned 4 times a year. The Dentist reads x-rays once and year to see if all the Crown Work I have in place is still solid and not requireing more work. Only my front teeth have escaped some kind of covering. Do I have any gold in my mouth? Yes, but the Dentist didn't have anything to do with it. Now they have Dental Labratories that take the Dentist's impressions and makes the finished products. I guess that is an added reason we have bigger Dental bills than were noticed in the past. A number more people are getting "into the act". I am not complaining, the work has been excellent, and the pain brought mercifully to a very minimum. Oh, I still hate going to the Dentist, but not with as much trepidation as in the past. Actually I worry more about the cost than anything else.
Dentistry from the horse and buggy stage up to todays marvelous workmanship. I am sorry to say neither my Dad nor my older brother had much luck with their dentures. Ron and Willetta had "imediate restoration", which they say is the only way to do it. If my luck continues, I won't have to find out.
Jay had such beautiful teeth. Good genes I guess. That and the fact he was faithful in brushing, and seeing the Dentist. I don't think that came from his family. Both his parents had dentures. I think he was blessed with good teeth and joining the Navy at such a young age, he was treated and found the benefit from early detection. What ever the case, I have to give him credit for keeping after me until I learned to follow the correct procedure to still have my teeth.
What is the moral? I am not sure there is one. I am just greatful that Medicine has advanced to the stage it has, and all the modern machines and treatments that keep us healthy longer are now available. Which means I am just as greatful that Dentistry has made the advancements it has. No more mercury fillings. Modern equipment that makes going to the Dentist more comforable. Now, that is not to say I want to watch TV while I am worked on, but it is nice to have the lay back chairs and computer held records that help keep up to date with all that is being done, or done in my mouth. I am not sure I get that much out of wearing dark glasses while they "play" in my mouth, but appreciate they cover their mouth and nose while they work on me, with my trap wide open. I don't need anymore germs than I carry around on my own.
Having those "eyepopping" magnifiers on their glasses I am sure make for more comfort for me. At least they see where they are going.
Yes, I would have to say that things have advanced a great deal since my Dad had to submit to having money taken from his pocket to help cover tooth damage. I am not sure how much more the Dentist asked for the work, but I am sure he was paid well. Guess we are back to the old addage; "you get what you pay for". I for one am greatful what I pay for is visible when I walk into the Dentist Office. I no longer fear that "straight chair" with only a head rest that moved to put me into position for the torture I went through. Now I can relax, grab onto the armrest and
prepare for the torture. (Well really not torture.) Better wording might be "discomfort". I hate having my mouth sleep so I feel like half my face is gone. Or dribble water down the front of my blouse when I try to take a drink before I have regained my former feeling.
You know, you've been there, and done that too. How about the nose? Well, that is another whole section, and we won't go there for now.
Just remember: "see your Dentist twice a year and have your teeth cleaned regularly" It is really money in the bank. I'm not sure just whose bank, but you get the idea!
Written this 1st day of January 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
New Years Day Ramblings
You know there is something rather sad about taking down the Christmas Tree with all the trimmigs, both inside and outside. It was trash day today, even though it is the First day of the New Year. When I brought the bins back, I decided to remove the Christmas Trees from the front of the garage. It isn't too much of a job, but it certainly makes the outside of the house look just a bit plain. I won't try to take the lights down until it warms up some, it if ever does. Kind of a grey day so far.
I came inside and decided the Tree in the living room needed to come down as well. Strange things happened. As I took the decorations off, carefully, as I had used the Victorian and Glass ones this year, the lights came on. Last I knew I had turned everything off because only the bottom lights turned on the second day I had the tree up. We spent the entire Holiday Season with a decorated Christmas Tree that had no lights. Yet here I am de-frocking the Tree and on comes ALL THE LIGHTS. What can I tell you? I hadn't touched anything but the decorations.
Well I finally got everything off, and the tree dismantled and back in the box. A job finally done.
As I looked around the living room, I was struck with the change. Who knew taking down the Tree would take that "certain feeling" away from the entire inside of the house?
Putting things UP seems to take time, each addition to the house adds it's own festive feeling. It comes on gradually. Sometimes taking a day or nearly a week. Then the packages are added as they are bought and wrapped. Bringing more color and meaning to the Holiday. By the time Christmas Eve arrives things are pretty full of excitement and anticipation.
Once all the boxes are opened, and the rag, tag paper is crumpled and stuffed into plastic sacks or one of the large boxes gifts had come in, the orderly look of things has been reduced down to a mess. Carefully, things are straightened up and the gifts that are not in use are spread out under the tree so visitors can see what "Santa" brought, among other folks in the family.
The week between Christmas and New Years sees more changes as the gifts are put away and the Tree begins to look just a bit haggered. No one is quick to take it down, no, we must wait until New Years Day.
Well, here we are, New Years Day with the Holidays past, and a New Year ready to be lived by one and all. Back to normal - the Tree has to go. So with much less intusiasium than it went up,
ornaments and lights are carefully removed and the plainess of things returns. Just another of those things that reminds us that time is moving along and we are moving along with it.
Every year new things are added while some older things drop by the wayside. Old toys for New Ones. Less fuss with meals and more concern for School Lunches and Bus Schedules, etc to take up our time. It will be another 364 days before we are here again. There will be Valentines Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Summer Vacations and of course the Military Observances that come in the Fall. When we were children those days move exceedingly slowly. Now in Old Age, they fly by so swiftly we can hardly believe we have to start all this over again, so soon!
Yes, there is something about taking the Christmas Tree down that brings us back to Normal Living. The newness of the gifts so highly prized last week have had their "bloom" worn down.
The toys aren't as interesting as they were, and our appetites are back to a better variety of things to eat and drink. All in all we barely feel the change, an yet it is so striking when it is gone.
Well, I will put up the boxes and bags of lights and trimmings. I will put away the gifts and spare wrapping paper and, oh yes, the day after Christmas ornaments I bought for all the kids for next year, and feel pretty pleased with myself that it is finished. Yet, I still have that feeling of nostalgia the Holiday Season brings inside and outside our home. Not totally pleased to see it gone for another year, but totally satisfied it was a Great Season, and I am so happy all went well, that everyone had a great Christmas and sincerely hope and pray that the New Year will hold all the great things a Mother, Grand Mother and Great Grand Mother can wish for her family will fill the coming days and months.
We are never sure just what great things are in store, but knowing we are blessed and looking forward to the challenges ahead. Will there be new surprises? Time will tell. We know for sure we only have to take this New Year one day at a time, and it is what we put into each of those days that will make our lives successful and happy. What this Year is to be is what each of us make of it indivually. Joseph Smith told us living the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the path to true happiness. Our first blessing of the year is we can bear Testimony to that truth.
To each of you, Happy New Year! I am looking forward to 2010 and what ever it has in store.
Written this 1 day of January 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
I came inside and decided the Tree in the living room needed to come down as well. Strange things happened. As I took the decorations off, carefully, as I had used the Victorian and Glass ones this year, the lights came on. Last I knew I had turned everything off because only the bottom lights turned on the second day I had the tree up. We spent the entire Holiday Season with a decorated Christmas Tree that had no lights. Yet here I am de-frocking the Tree and on comes ALL THE LIGHTS. What can I tell you? I hadn't touched anything but the decorations.
Well I finally got everything off, and the tree dismantled and back in the box. A job finally done.
As I looked around the living room, I was struck with the change. Who knew taking down the Tree would take that "certain feeling" away from the entire inside of the house?
Putting things UP seems to take time, each addition to the house adds it's own festive feeling. It comes on gradually. Sometimes taking a day or nearly a week. Then the packages are added as they are bought and wrapped. Bringing more color and meaning to the Holiday. By the time Christmas Eve arrives things are pretty full of excitement and anticipation.
Once all the boxes are opened, and the rag, tag paper is crumpled and stuffed into plastic sacks or one of the large boxes gifts had come in, the orderly look of things has been reduced down to a mess. Carefully, things are straightened up and the gifts that are not in use are spread out under the tree so visitors can see what "Santa" brought, among other folks in the family.
The week between Christmas and New Years sees more changes as the gifts are put away and the Tree begins to look just a bit haggered. No one is quick to take it down, no, we must wait until New Years Day.
Well, here we are, New Years Day with the Holidays past, and a New Year ready to be lived by one and all. Back to normal - the Tree has to go. So with much less intusiasium than it went up,
ornaments and lights are carefully removed and the plainess of things returns. Just another of those things that reminds us that time is moving along and we are moving along with it.
Every year new things are added while some older things drop by the wayside. Old toys for New Ones. Less fuss with meals and more concern for School Lunches and Bus Schedules, etc to take up our time. It will be another 364 days before we are here again. There will be Valentines Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Summer Vacations and of course the Military Observances that come in the Fall. When we were children those days move exceedingly slowly. Now in Old Age, they fly by so swiftly we can hardly believe we have to start all this over again, so soon!
Yes, there is something about taking the Christmas Tree down that brings us back to Normal Living. The newness of the gifts so highly prized last week have had their "bloom" worn down.
The toys aren't as interesting as they were, and our appetites are back to a better variety of things to eat and drink. All in all we barely feel the change, an yet it is so striking when it is gone.
Well, I will put up the boxes and bags of lights and trimmings. I will put away the gifts and spare wrapping paper and, oh yes, the day after Christmas ornaments I bought for all the kids for next year, and feel pretty pleased with myself that it is finished. Yet, I still have that feeling of nostalgia the Holiday Season brings inside and outside our home. Not totally pleased to see it gone for another year, but totally satisfied it was a Great Season, and I am so happy all went well, that everyone had a great Christmas and sincerely hope and pray that the New Year will hold all the great things a Mother, Grand Mother and Great Grand Mother can wish for her family will fill the coming days and months.
We are never sure just what great things are in store, but knowing we are blessed and looking forward to the challenges ahead. Will there be new surprises? Time will tell. We know for sure we only have to take this New Year one day at a time, and it is what we put into each of those days that will make our lives successful and happy. What this Year is to be is what each of us make of it indivually. Joseph Smith told us living the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the path to true happiness. Our first blessing of the year is we can bear Testimony to that truth.
To each of you, Happy New Year! I am looking forward to 2010 and what ever it has in store.
Written this 1 day of January 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Way It Was
Today we have the after Christmas Sales. I don't recall having those when I was kid. We always looked forward to the New Years "White Sales". This was when the household was checked to see just what was needed for the coming year. Towels, Sheets, Cup Towels, etc. Then we would head out for JC Penney's or Montgomery Wards on Pacific Blvd. in Huntington Park to see what they were offering. It was quite an outing. New sheets were especially great. Of course back in those days all the Laundry was done on Monday and "hungout" to dry. No dryers back in those days. In fact most of the washing machines were wringer type. That ment you took piece at a time and run it through the wringer to get the wash water out of it. It went into the "sanitary tub" where there was clean rinse water. Each piece was "dunked" a number of times to get the soapy water clear then it was put through the wringer again. This time the wringer had been turned so the pieces would drop into the "wash basket" which was then taken into the back yard and piece by piece hung on the lines. Colored pieces hopefully found some shade if there wasn't any, they were turned wrong side out and hung on the middle lines so they could get the benefit of any shade from the other laundry.
Loads of course were sorted carefully. Whites first, then light colored clothes and then dark colors with the "work clothes" being washed last. Oh, and we didn't have all the fancy laundry soaps of today. Mom kept a bar of Felse Naptha in the widow back of the washer with a paring knife to slice off slivers to go into the "work clothes" load. That would work on the dirt from the shop where Dad and the Boys worked. If things were to be bleached, that was done in the rince water. That ment everything had to be rinsed twice. Laundry was not a simple thing. There were a number of things that had to be starched. This ment that Mom would boil some water on the stove then pour it into a large bucket and stir in the starch with some blueing, heavy starch was used for shirt collars and cuffs and chair covers and doilies for the tables. Lighter starch was used on the bouses and shirts to make them nice and crisp. These were usually wrung by hand. That ment they weren't quite as dry. Towels were usually washed separately.
Because Mom had such weak arms, Dad always paid the extra for her to have an "EASY" washer that had a "spin basket". This was packed and punched down to get the maximum amount in each basket. It was then turned on to spin out the extra water. We would pull everything out and dip rinse each piece and then restuff if back into the small basket that would whirl out the water. We would then stop the basket and fill it with clean water from the hose and spin it again.
I guess you could say that was the beginning of the modern Washers. Still didn't relieve us from hanging clothes. Of course on rainy days, we held off. Very rarely was Monday missed as the day we did the Laundry.
I loved hanging clothes out. They always came in smelling so great and the sheets were great on the bed. The towels were never as soft as today however. No softner back in those days. The better they were rinsed and the more the wind blew the better they dried and the fluffier they were.
Next to the "January White Sales" was the other once a year sale that was always in August. Just before School was oto start, the "blanket" sale took place. Oh how I like the Blanket Sale. We would buy new blakets for the beds. We never needed as many blankets in California as we had to use in Ohio, but to feel the soft blankets and see the various designs and colors, well it was the high light of the fall.
In September were the big sales in Sears for School Clothes. We would shop for the things we would start school in. Put the sale items on lay-a-way and pay a little each week so we could have everything we needed to start school with. Something you don't see today. Well not in the same way we had it back then. All the girls wore "wash dresses". I don't think I had many skirts until I was in High School. Every age wore "wash or house dresses". Depending on the fade of the season the boys wore cordaroy pants or wash pants. Jeans were not a known quantity back then. Guess the "Grapes of Wrath" period brought the Jeans West. I don't remember us wearing anything but leather shoes to school. Not too long before the War we even had what they called Crepe Soles on our shoes. Man were they great. They were a semi clear rubber that made you feel like you were walking on clouds. Once the War started, rubber "went to war" and I haven't seen Crepe Soles since. My brother Ron wore Basket Ball shoes. They were very expensive, special ordered because Ron had such a narrow foot and heel. No one wore "sneekers" or "tennis shoes" except for PE at school. I was always told those shoes made your feet sweat too much and that wasn't good for you. We didn't wear boots all day either for the same reason. If it rained, and we walked to school, we had to carry our shoes in a bag and change when we got to school. How times have changed.
I guess the reason there was not so much competition amongst the stores then was very few people had money, and they bought only what was needed. I don't recall "shopping" like we do today. Even going to the grocery store was pretty well assigned to one day a week. We bought what we needed with very few extras along the way. If there were extras, they would be fruit or nuts. Ice Cream was a treat saved for special occasions, bought at the Ice Cream store hand
packed (no extra) in cartons like we get Chinese Food in today. Had to get it home quickly and eat it the same. Freezers in the Refrigerators of that day were just big enough for ice trays, and not too many of them. If we left the trays out, then we could put something small in for a short while. No Freezers or Side by Sides or Upper or Lower Freezers back in those days. You know what, we didn't know any different, so it never bothered us.
When Jay and I got married we only had an "Ice Box". One part held a ten pound block of ice. That was all we had to keep our food cold. Didn't take much to spoil food back in those days. We didn't buy in quantity. Over cooking was pretty poor policy as well.
Our first place had a Murphy Bed. So our Living Room was our Bedroom as well. Even more interesting was the head of our bed was just the width of a wall away from the head of the bed in the Apartment next door. Made for an interesting time! Just thinking about those days brings back some pretty funny times. Ah! to be young again. What we didn't realize about life in general never bothered us. We didn't have much, but then, no one else did either. We made our "good times" from little to nothing, and it was great. I had a good looking partner and we were working things out. Maybe not as polished as some, but we were doing our darndest to grow and develope a family in all the best ways we could. Now, the downs were just about as thrilling as the ups. Retrospect is such a blessing. The happiest times were when we were working hard to keep things together. Greatful for the "Smith's" who always were in the wings when tuff times came our way. When they were no longer there, we found ways to keep our heads above water. Jay never wanted to take advantage.
Well, that was the "way it was". Little tid bits of information that I may or may not have shared before. Who knows, I ramble on just the same. A side note, we started out with a Wringer type washer. Then Jay bought me an Easy. It was long after Dawn was born we got an Automatic, but I still had to hang the clothes out. I honestly don't remember when we got a dryer. I only remember we didn't had clothes lines in use too much when we were in Taft. So it must have been when we move to the desert. Just when we had the heat to dry things about as fast as I could have hung them up. Oh well! Guess this is a 10 - 4 for this one. Love Ya!
Written this 29th day of December 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Loads of course were sorted carefully. Whites first, then light colored clothes and then dark colors with the "work clothes" being washed last. Oh, and we didn't have all the fancy laundry soaps of today. Mom kept a bar of Felse Naptha in the widow back of the washer with a paring knife to slice off slivers to go into the "work clothes" load. That would work on the dirt from the shop where Dad and the Boys worked. If things were to be bleached, that was done in the rince water. That ment everything had to be rinsed twice. Laundry was not a simple thing. There were a number of things that had to be starched. This ment that Mom would boil some water on the stove then pour it into a large bucket and stir in the starch with some blueing, heavy starch was used for shirt collars and cuffs and chair covers and doilies for the tables. Lighter starch was used on the bouses and shirts to make them nice and crisp. These were usually wrung by hand. That ment they weren't quite as dry. Towels were usually washed separately.
Because Mom had such weak arms, Dad always paid the extra for her to have an "EASY" washer that had a "spin basket". This was packed and punched down to get the maximum amount in each basket. It was then turned on to spin out the extra water. We would pull everything out and dip rinse each piece and then restuff if back into the small basket that would whirl out the water. We would then stop the basket and fill it with clean water from the hose and spin it again.
I guess you could say that was the beginning of the modern Washers. Still didn't relieve us from hanging clothes. Of course on rainy days, we held off. Very rarely was Monday missed as the day we did the Laundry.
I loved hanging clothes out. They always came in smelling so great and the sheets were great on the bed. The towels were never as soft as today however. No softner back in those days. The better they were rinsed and the more the wind blew the better they dried and the fluffier they were.
Next to the "January White Sales" was the other once a year sale that was always in August. Just before School was oto start, the "blanket" sale took place. Oh how I like the Blanket Sale. We would buy new blakets for the beds. We never needed as many blankets in California as we had to use in Ohio, but to feel the soft blankets and see the various designs and colors, well it was the high light of the fall.
In September were the big sales in Sears for School Clothes. We would shop for the things we would start school in. Put the sale items on lay-a-way and pay a little each week so we could have everything we needed to start school with. Something you don't see today. Well not in the same way we had it back then. All the girls wore "wash dresses". I don't think I had many skirts until I was in High School. Every age wore "wash or house dresses". Depending on the fade of the season the boys wore cordaroy pants or wash pants. Jeans were not a known quantity back then. Guess the "Grapes of Wrath" period brought the Jeans West. I don't remember us wearing anything but leather shoes to school. Not too long before the War we even had what they called Crepe Soles on our shoes. Man were they great. They were a semi clear rubber that made you feel like you were walking on clouds. Once the War started, rubber "went to war" and I haven't seen Crepe Soles since. My brother Ron wore Basket Ball shoes. They were very expensive, special ordered because Ron had such a narrow foot and heel. No one wore "sneekers" or "tennis shoes" except for PE at school. I was always told those shoes made your feet sweat too much and that wasn't good for you. We didn't wear boots all day either for the same reason. If it rained, and we walked to school, we had to carry our shoes in a bag and change when we got to school. How times have changed.
I guess the reason there was not so much competition amongst the stores then was very few people had money, and they bought only what was needed. I don't recall "shopping" like we do today. Even going to the grocery store was pretty well assigned to one day a week. We bought what we needed with very few extras along the way. If there were extras, they would be fruit or nuts. Ice Cream was a treat saved for special occasions, bought at the Ice Cream store hand
packed (no extra) in cartons like we get Chinese Food in today. Had to get it home quickly and eat it the same. Freezers in the Refrigerators of that day were just big enough for ice trays, and not too many of them. If we left the trays out, then we could put something small in for a short while. No Freezers or Side by Sides or Upper or Lower Freezers back in those days. You know what, we didn't know any different, so it never bothered us.
When Jay and I got married we only had an "Ice Box". One part held a ten pound block of ice. That was all we had to keep our food cold. Didn't take much to spoil food back in those days. We didn't buy in quantity. Over cooking was pretty poor policy as well.
Our first place had a Murphy Bed. So our Living Room was our Bedroom as well. Even more interesting was the head of our bed was just the width of a wall away from the head of the bed in the Apartment next door. Made for an interesting time! Just thinking about those days brings back some pretty funny times. Ah! to be young again. What we didn't realize about life in general never bothered us. We didn't have much, but then, no one else did either. We made our "good times" from little to nothing, and it was great. I had a good looking partner and we were working things out. Maybe not as polished as some, but we were doing our darndest to grow and develope a family in all the best ways we could. Now, the downs were just about as thrilling as the ups. Retrospect is such a blessing. The happiest times were when we were working hard to keep things together. Greatful for the "Smith's" who always were in the wings when tuff times came our way. When they were no longer there, we found ways to keep our heads above water. Jay never wanted to take advantage.
Well, that was the "way it was". Little tid bits of information that I may or may not have shared before. Who knows, I ramble on just the same. A side note, we started out with a Wringer type washer. Then Jay bought me an Easy. It was long after Dawn was born we got an Automatic, but I still had to hang the clothes out. I honestly don't remember when we got a dryer. I only remember we didn't had clothes lines in use too much when we were in Taft. So it must have been when we move to the desert. Just when we had the heat to dry things about as fast as I could have hung them up. Oh well! Guess this is a 10 - 4 for this one. Love Ya!
Written this 29th day of December 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Why a Senior Mission?
You know I didn't give that much thought until friends of mine were called to go to Salt Lake and serve in the Family History Library. Some how that got me thinking, and before I knew it I wanted to go too. My only problem was Jay wasn't the least bit interested. He wasn't sure he could contribute. After some talking, I called Salt Lake and talked to the Mission Staff about what they needed. They advised me to come up and see. We did just that. After a tour of the work areas and seeing what was done in the Mission, Jay seemed to weaken. I am not sure he was all that sure when we put our papers in, but he was a good sport and turned his talents toward getting us ready.
He got pneumonia just before we were to leave, and was very ill. He insisted that we still report on time. At the last minute friends stepped forward to take our things up, and I drove Jay and myself. When we arrived in Salt Lake, we put Jay to bed in the Apartment of a friend, while the rest helped me move our things into our Apartment.
We weren't there for long when the Mission President called us into his Office to have a talk. He asked Jay how he was doing. Jay told him he was trying to get on top of things, but just not able to make the Devotionals in the early mornings. It was November with snow, and the early hour with the cold made things pretty difficult for Jay. His only request to the President was: "just don't send us home". To which the Mission President replied: "that is exactly what I will do if you don't get feeling better. Your health is more important."
Within a week we decided to take Jay up to the LDS Hospital where he saw a rather unlikely looking ER Doctor. One look, and he told Jay he was being treated for a bacterial infection when what he really had was a viral infection. He change the Rx Jay was on and within the first four hours of taking the new medication, Jays condition made a marked turn around. We had found
the answer. Jays health improved. A transfer from Indexing to the Bindery in the Library rounded out a wonderful experience for Jay. He was able to repair his ancient leather bound Bible, which was in great condtion except for the cover and the metal fasteners. Jay had not served a Mission when he was younger, and this was a perfect way for him to have that great experience.
He enjoyed the companionship of the other men his age who had also served in WWII. They had many wonderful hours of sharing their experiences and learning new talents. I suppose a Call to Serve when one is older won't fit into every persons life, but I am most greatful that we were able to Serve together. One side blessing to our time was having Dawn and Greg come to Salt Lake for our Wedding Anniversary and assist us in joining Jay and his family eternally. He
hadn't been able to take care of that before, and it was a very special time for the entire family.
Jay always had such a sence of humor. It was at this same time that TV Commercials were more "catchey". Jay had picked up on: "have you any Grey PoPon Mustard?" As we stood on the door step of our Apartment when the Slanes were driving away, after their visit, the Grand kids rolled down their car window and yelled at their Grandfather: "have you any Grey PoPon?" He got the biggest kick out of that. One of those magical moments that stayed with him.
Aren't families GREAT? Jay sure thought so!
Written this 23rd day of December 2009
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
He got pneumonia just before we were to leave, and was very ill. He insisted that we still report on time. At the last minute friends stepped forward to take our things up, and I drove Jay and myself. When we arrived in Salt Lake, we put Jay to bed in the Apartment of a friend, while the rest helped me move our things into our Apartment.
We weren't there for long when the Mission President called us into his Office to have a talk. He asked Jay how he was doing. Jay told him he was trying to get on top of things, but just not able to make the Devotionals in the early mornings. It was November with snow, and the early hour with the cold made things pretty difficult for Jay. His only request to the President was: "just don't send us home". To which the Mission President replied: "that is exactly what I will do if you don't get feeling better. Your health is more important."
Within a week we decided to take Jay up to the LDS Hospital where he saw a rather unlikely looking ER Doctor. One look, and he told Jay he was being treated for a bacterial infection when what he really had was a viral infection. He change the Rx Jay was on and within the first four hours of taking the new medication, Jays condition made a marked turn around. We had found
the answer. Jays health improved. A transfer from Indexing to the Bindery in the Library rounded out a wonderful experience for Jay. He was able to repair his ancient leather bound Bible, which was in great condtion except for the cover and the metal fasteners. Jay had not served a Mission when he was younger, and this was a perfect way for him to have that great experience.
He enjoyed the companionship of the other men his age who had also served in WWII. They had many wonderful hours of sharing their experiences and learning new talents. I suppose a Call to Serve when one is older won't fit into every persons life, but I am most greatful that we were able to Serve together. One side blessing to our time was having Dawn and Greg come to Salt Lake for our Wedding Anniversary and assist us in joining Jay and his family eternally. He
hadn't been able to take care of that before, and it was a very special time for the entire family.
Jay always had such a sence of humor. It was at this same time that TV Commercials were more "catchey". Jay had picked up on: "have you any Grey PoPon Mustard?" As we stood on the door step of our Apartment when the Slanes were driving away, after their visit, the Grand kids rolled down their car window and yelled at their Grandfather: "have you any Grey PoPon?" He got the biggest kick out of that. One of those magical moments that stayed with him.
Aren't families GREAT? Jay sure thought so!
Written this 23rd day of December 2009
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
You Haven't Heard the Last of It!
At least that is what I was told. It appears that the instigator of this Blog thinks my brain is still "half empty" and hopes I can dredge up some other tid bits that will be of some small interest to
some of you. With this in mind, I am taking the time to let you know that I will still be dropping in at various intervals to see if you are still there, and "are" somewhat interested in what I have brought to mind since the last time I was here.
Now you understand, this in no way means or infers that I do have anything of great value to share, but with an earnest effort on my part, I shall do my best to come up with a line or two from time to time to let you know I am still active and managing in this, my ancient of age.
I believe you can take from this declaration that I sincerely love this "Blog Starter" and will try, in my limited talents to render some effort to "Ramble" on. You may note a stagger, or sag here or there, but then, that should be expected under the circumstances. I have found in the past that even a quick proof read has allowed errors to creep into the Blog. Not intentional, just one of those things when the mind works much faster than the finger tips at getting the thoughts down as things race along. Sad to say I have had a number of bright ideas, which by the time I
get to the Computer has faded into "Major Senior Moments". One that really vexed me for a week now - something that was only one of a kind, and no longer exists in Society. Well, if it doesn't wake me up with a start in the middle of the night, I guess it wasn't all that valuable a note anyway. That being said, it still un-nerves me to realize that one moment I think something is "great" only to find out my mind couldn't hang on to something that "great" for such a short period of time. Oh well, I guess everyone comes to these kinds of times eventually. Just remember when it is your time - it isn't that critical. Second Childhood is made up a many different reversals.
Lets take some inventory - once, I had dark hair and eyes. Gone! Once I could skip and run.
Gone! Once I could hit the high notes of a song and hold them. Gone! Then there was even a time when I could cough or sneeze without, well, we won't go there right now. Just remember this is a time for me to reminisce. No one said it had to pass any set standard. And aren't we glad?
I love you one and all - Happy Holidays - Grandma
Writtne this 23rd day of December 2009
Happy Birthday Gower
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
some of you. With this in mind, I am taking the time to let you know that I will still be dropping in at various intervals to see if you are still there, and "are" somewhat interested in what I have brought to mind since the last time I was here.
Now you understand, this in no way means or infers that I do have anything of great value to share, but with an earnest effort on my part, I shall do my best to come up with a line or two from time to time to let you know I am still active and managing in this, my ancient of age.
I believe you can take from this declaration that I sincerely love this "Blog Starter" and will try, in my limited talents to render some effort to "Ramble" on. You may note a stagger, or sag here or there, but then, that should be expected under the circumstances. I have found in the past that even a quick proof read has allowed errors to creep into the Blog. Not intentional, just one of those things when the mind works much faster than the finger tips at getting the thoughts down as things race along. Sad to say I have had a number of bright ideas, which by the time I
get to the Computer has faded into "Major Senior Moments". One that really vexed me for a week now - something that was only one of a kind, and no longer exists in Society. Well, if it doesn't wake me up with a start in the middle of the night, I guess it wasn't all that valuable a note anyway. That being said, it still un-nerves me to realize that one moment I think something is "great" only to find out my mind couldn't hang on to something that "great" for such a short period of time. Oh well, I guess everyone comes to these kinds of times eventually. Just remember when it is your time - it isn't that critical. Second Childhood is made up a many different reversals.
Lets take some inventory - once, I had dark hair and eyes. Gone! Once I could skip and run.
Gone! Once I could hit the high notes of a song and hold them. Gone! Then there was even a time when I could cough or sneeze without, well, we won't go there right now. Just remember this is a time for me to reminisce. No one said it had to pass any set standard. And aren't we glad?
I love you one and all - Happy Holidays - Grandma
Writtne this 23rd day of December 2009
Happy Birthday Gower
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
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